After having several nightmare experiences returning IEMs to various online vendors after disappointing experiences with the monitors, I am no longer interested in patronizing anything other than brick-and-mortar stores for IEMs. Brands such as Sony, Monster, Ultimate Ears, Q-Jays, Sennheiser, Shure, JVC, Audio Technica, Klipsch, etc are easily found in your local Best Buy, Apple, Microsoft, and audio specialty shops.

Other brands like Dunu, Phiaton, 1964Ears, etc are really boutique brands that can only be accessed through high-risk purchases online with vendors who may/may not enforce restocking fees, who may/may not properly receive and credit the returned merchandise, etc.

I live in a major US metropolitan area and at least 50% of the IEMs on this list are completely unavailable to me for purchase unless I am willing to purchase online. This is a complete failure of those manufacturers to get their products into stores against the Skullcandy/Beats juggernaut.

I wish this IEM list would make mention of which headsets are available to purchase in stores and which are online-only models.

You're completely wrong. Its not a failure on the manufacturers side. Its the stores that need to do some research and stock. Do you think the manufacturers are stopping stores abroad to buy from them - no. You have to understand that most stores sell what is popular and advertised by celebrities or brands that are popular - like sony, jvc etc., which people know for their other electronics. How many people outside of head-fi know about 99% of the listed here brands and their iems? Companies like Vsonic, for instance, are investing into production and quality and think about Chinese sales - they won't be paying stupid celebs to carry their products around, just so some US vendors can stock on them. Also its unrealistic to expect to have a database of which store sells what - there are millions of stores worldwide and some of them carry like 80% of what is on this list and some carry none. Just because you don't have a store like that in your city doesn't mean there aren't such stores for instance in Europe or Asia. Do you seriously expect someone will list every city and every store and their inventory?

I wish this IEM list would make mention of which headsets are available to purchase in stores and which are online-only models.

Completely impractical considering this thread is viewed all around the world and even in the US availability may differ by area. If you know which brands are available in your area just focus you search on those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehumantornado

Just wanted to say thanks Joker!

Was looking for a fun, sub $100 iem and went with the Thinksound TS02 after reading through your reviews.

Thanks AstralStorm! I'm definitely interested in your comparisons to the RE-ZERO when you get a chance to A/B them

Comparisons of what to RE-ZERO? RE272, GR06 or HF5? I typically don't keep that many IEMs on me. The RE272 is fresh on memory though, tested again and modded last week. HF5 is a tinge older, three weeks. GR06 I have heard twice, in the shop, but then I have owned GR07, a slightly upscale for a longer stretch of time. (also ended last week)

Now, I perhaps *could* get another RE272 or go to a nice shop for a head to head comparison, but unfortunately I'm busy at work hours and the shops don't stock these high end IEM models that often in this country, so I'd have to buy another pair. I don't see any reason to do so.

For a direct AB test, I can say that TWFK from Brainwavz B2 is left in the dust on highs (minor 5k boost, less body), lows (much less impact, added warmth), mids (less body) note sustain, dynamics and clarity - and I do get perfect fit with those as well. The TWFK is about as edgy as RE-ZERO, except it's more distorted everywhere, especially in the lows. RE-ZERO's (not overblown) bass impact adds to their sense of speed.

Here's some really suprisingly even comparison: SE-5 with equalization. SE-5's bass impact is a bit stronger, edgier, more visceral and more filled in, clarity is very comparable. Being a custom, it is more comfortable and disappear in the ear despite their large size. (they stick out of ears and people tend to give funny looks - customs are rare and look like hearing aids)

RE-ZERO are a tinge edgier everywhere except the bass, sounding a bit faster? They also have some reverberation at the highest end, most likely from the case - sounds a bit like tiny plate reverb, very smooth. This actually helps soundstaging immensely, moving the highs nicely to the right position. Yes, SE-5 are suprisingly left in the dust on soundstaging.

On the downsides, RE-ZERO do have a minimal amount of driver flex and can't disappear in ear due to their bulk. I won't be attempting to recase them yet, since RE0 were impossible to remove from the shell - without the use of some advanced tools, which I'll try later too.

RE-ZERO has some subbass rattle, perhaps due to fit? There is actually a small bit of shelf (not rolloff) <50 Hz too, 6 dB, Stax-like. Equalizing this out makes the bass complete. Probably custom tips could help with this. Highest highs are similarly 6 dB shelved. There's a minor "aggressive" 3.5k-10k shelf boost too, 1 dB, reminiscent of GR07, but without the sibilance - narrows the soundstage slightly. That's all. It's more linear than SE-5 or GR07.

Without equalization, I'd echo Joker's words, but instead of calling it grayscale, I'd call it yellow grayscale - the kind you get from wearing those silly "anti-fatigue" tinted glasses.

RE0 has identical flaws, but more of them - with the exception of air, which has only 3 dB shelf instead of 6 dB, but has some mild resonant peak around 15k instead.

Come to think of it, the closest comparison I can draw is with Sennheiser HD800 (note: heard only briefly) - precise, perfect detailing with some hotness added on top. RE-ZERO is less hot than that, but about as detailed.

I'm pretty sure they're on sale because they put most every other product to shame.

In your review you said that the gr06 have a slightly mid-forward sound, how forward is it? even more so than the bass?

Also are you going to get a chance to listen to the gr04 in the near future? If you are then I am going to wait for your comparison between thr gr06 and gr04 and decide which to purchase.

Volume-wise it's pretty even. I can't say for sure how they will graph but I would guess the bass will still be enhanced compared to the midrange. I don't have any plans to hear the GR04. I believe it's been discontinued.

I know this is a little late, but nice review on the Trumpets. I kinda feel like they should have been scored a little higher, since I think they're better than the Tributes which also got an 8.9. But at the same time I don't think they're as good as the EX600 which got a 9.0. Scoring this stuff must be difficult.

How does FA Silver Bullet sound in comprasion to RE0? Is it heavy on bass?

I know exactly one shop around here that maybe stocks Silver Bullets. Unfortunately they're out at the moment. (also out of DBA-02, but Eternas are still available)

I'll ask and try to snatch a short listen, the comparison will be against RE-ZERO, Eternas, Brainwavz B2, Spiral Ear SE-5 and perhaps Phonak Audeo 022 if they're on site. They might have RE0 too, they used to in the past. I'm pretty sure all of these will be inferior, but it's best to check how much.

I'll also check the new Brainwavz R1 dual dynamic driver, M4.and M5, just for the kicks. They're really stocked in the brand.

They might have AKG K3003i soon as well, I hope to snatch a prolonged listen of these.

From Silver Bullets, based on the review, I expect a pleasant slightly bass boosted and/or warmed listen at the very least with smooth sound. Perhaps closer to delicate smooth RE272 than more aggressive RE-ZERO. They're supposedly pretty airy as well, but slightly less than the Hifimans. The real snag might be that they might not fit my ears at all.

Thicker midrange you'll definitely get from RE-ZERO. Not sure how much more you need from the bass. If a lot more, then no, RE-ZERO doesn't have that much extra. It's still flat bass, but much more impactful. It does have slightly better downward extension too. (the shelf starts bit lower and is less deep)

Checking out Silver Bullets will take time. I'll probably drop into that shop (Audiomagic.pl) tomorrow - but it's highly likely they won't have them - they used to, but it currently says "waiting for restock".

I was wondering if you could give your thoughts on the RE262 against the TO GO! 334; I've heard the 334 many, many times, but have yet to try the RE262. I've been looking for something affordable that is sort of like a "mini-334" --- forward but relatively accurate vocals, extended but relaxed highs, with a lighter, tighter bass line. I think the 334 can get a little loose with its bass, despite its natural BA speed. I'm not expecting the dynamic RE262 to match a BA in bass speed, as that wouldn't be what I'd be using it for, but otherwise the RE262 seems to fit the bill. Mostly, I'm looking for something that will melt away in my ears and I'll never have to worry about it. I spend long periods of time studying or typing in front of the computer, so I like using something that can perform well at low volumes (not a problem with the high impedance) and still preserve that mellow, mid-centric character.

Hi. I've been a longtime lurker at Head-Fi - and especially at this thread - but this is my first actual post asking for information.

I'm looking for a decent pair of IEMs to use for listening on a daily basis, not amped. So far, the pairs I'm most interested in are the HiFiman RE262s and the VSonic GR01s.

I listen to all kinds of music but value mids and bass the most (though I want some treble too). Which of the two would you recommend and why?

It really depends on whether you value bass that is accurate and controlled or powerful and enhanced. If it's the latter, chances are neither the RE262 or GR01 will do it for you. In general, the RE262 is warmer and smoother, with fuller bass, thicker mids, more laid-back treble and a mellower overall sound. The GR01 is brighter and leaner-sounding, with flat bass and typically "quicker" sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozkan

How does FA Silver Bullet sound in comprasion to RE0? Is it heavy on bass?

Significantly heavier bass than RE0. It's a warmer and more spacious sound, but perhaps not as true to source as you may be used to with the RE0.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selenium

I know this is a little late, but nice review on the Trumpets. I kinda feel like they should have been scored a little higher, since I think they're better than the Tributes which also got an 8.9. But at the same time I don't think they're as good as the EX600 which got a 9.0. Scoring this stuff must be difficult.

Yep. I do like the Trumpets better than the Tributes but chalked it up to signature preference. The Tributes do certain things very well for those into heavy bass and warm tone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomscy2000

Hey Joker,

I was wondering if you could give your thoughts on the RE262 against the TO GO! 334; I've heard the 334 many, many times, but have yet to try the RE262. I've been looking for something affordable that is sort of like a "mini-334" --- forward but relatively accurate vocals, extended but relaxed highs, with a lighter, tighter bass line. I think the 334 can get a little loose with its bass, despite its natural BA speed. I'm not expecting the dynamic RE262 to match a BA in bass speed, as that wouldn't be what I'd be using it for, but otherwise the RE262 seems to fit the bill. Mostly, I'm looking for something that will melt away in my ears and I'll never have to worry about it. I spend long periods of time studying or typing in front of the computer, so I like using something that can perform well at low volumes (not a problem with the high impedance) and still preserve that mellow, mid-centric character.

Thanks.

I agree on the MH334 bass - in comparison to my Miracles it's very dynamic-driver sounding (not necessarily in a good way) whereas the Miracle is clean and tight.

I do think the RE262 is a great relaxed-listening earphone (though I prefer the RE272).

Anyway, RE262 vs MH334 - The MH334 has deeper and more powerful bass (as expected) but the RE262 is a tiny bit tighter. Mostly its bass just sounds recessed in comparison. I tried some dubstep just to see what electronic bass sounds like on both and they are not that different once you turn the RE262 way up to compensate for quantity, with the RE262 a touch more controlled but lacking the deep bass presence and overall impact of the 334.

The midrange of the 334 is clearer/has a darker background but the tone is actually not that different with both sounding a little warmer/darker than what I would consider neutral (the RE262 is maybe a little warmer). The FitEar also sounds a touch thicker to me. The treble of the RE262 is a little more laid-back but not too bad and the overall balance seems to benefit from the lighter bass.

Soundstaging--the MH334 wins easily with a more out-of-the-head soundstage but at the same time better layering and a very good on-center feel (what I've seen called a strong center image). This can also make the FitEar sound more aggressive at higher volumes. I do like the presentation of the 262 and think it's pretty spacious but it's just not on-level here.

Significantly heavier bass than RE0. It's a warmer and more spacious sound, but perhaps not as true to source as you may be used to with the RE0.

Hey Joker,

Do you think it is an upgrade over RE0? I really love RE0, but I need an iem resembles RE0 with a little more bass (not bass heavy) and just a little thicker midrange and similar treble or should I get RE-ZERO instead? Please I need an advice.